Their performances are known as “retro”. The Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show take the audience on a journey back in time when live radio broadcasts were a mix of music and good humor. Hailing from Texas, KSBC brings their unique blend of classic country and bluegrass music to the stage. During their one mic stage show, the members weave in and out changing movement for vocal and instrumental leads, creating a visionary musical dance.
Their new CD Take Me Back has received airplay nation wide on Bluegrass and Americana radio stations.
“Take Me Back is primarily a collection of tunes I heard and learned while growing up in Texas in the mid sixties (about 45 years ago),” explains Karl.
The material covers songs by Don Gibson, Bill Monroe, Flatt & Scruggs, Bob Wills, Faron Young, Willie Nelson and Floyd Tillman. There are a couple of new tunes, “Song on the Jukebox” written by Monroe Fields and a gospel song called “Open up your Heart” (and let Jesus in) written by Karl Shiflett.
The band’s effort to entertain and preserve a classic music art form has not gone unnoticed. They have been recognized with various awards and nominations, including the 2001 IBMA Emerging Artist of the Year Award and in 2001 a nomination for Entertainer of the Year. In 2006, they were recipients of the 2006 IBMA Album of the Year Award for their participation in Celebration of Life on the Skaggs Family Records label.
The current line-up for The Karl Shiflett and Big Country show includes: Karl Shiflett (lead vocals/rhythm guitar), Kris Shiflett (acoustic upright bass), Brennen Ernst (banjo/harmony vocals), C.J. Lewandowski (mandolin/harmony vocals), Billy Hurt (fiddle), Danny Bureau (scrub board). Visit the website at www.KarlShiflett.com